Clothes washing machine



N0 25 1945- l h L .,J. Go'rTscHALK. 2,411,654

- CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Filed oct'. so, 194s 2 sheets-sheet 1 'fig-f2y '8;

f NOV 26, 1946' l.. GoTTscHALK K CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Filed oct. so,194s 2 sheets-sheet 2 Jnvenor:

- the tub.

" "Paiemeduov, 2s, 1946 UNITED s'rArr-:s PATENT oFFl'cE 16 Claims. (Cl.68-23) l My invention relates to washing machines. Included in theobjects of the invention is ,the

basket for holding articles to be washed in combination with means soconstructed and arranged as to furnish a balanced and counterbalancedconstruction whereby wear and tear on such articlesis kept at a minimumwith an even distribution thereof, and whereby Wear` on the machine andnoise thereof and power required for operation is kept at a minimum.

An important object 'of the invention is to provide a machine of thischaracter embodying a tub in which is supported a foraminous torus oranchor-ring shaped basket for holding clothes and other articles to bewashed in combination with means for causing a progressive circularundulating motion of the basket continued around through 360 withoutrotation oi the basket with this motion based on e. point having acentral position with relation to an annular wall with which the basketis provided. The accepted deniticn oi the term anchor-ring according toGeometry of Solids is: Anchor-ring is a surface generated by therevolution oi any closed plane curve, as a circle or ellipse, about anaxis outside its body. See for instance Standard Dictionary.

nother obiect is to provide means for preventing free rotation oi thebasket during the undulating motion.

Another 'object is to provide e closure for the an up and down surgingaction of the washing liquid contained in the tub. These cups arepermanently iixed to the top of the basket and are termed suction oupsbecause they exert suction in the basket during a portion ci theundulating motion thereof.

Another object is to provide a shiitable device whereby one position oisaid device will cause the basket to have a relatively slow undulatingmotion forv washing the articles therein and another position of saiddevice will cause the basket .to have a relatively high speed rotarymotion for drying thel articles Vby centrifugal action after the Washingliquid has been drained from Anotherobject is to providemeans for ingthe washingliquid'from the operating mechexcludprovision of means forsupportingin a tub, a

. top ci thebasket so that articles while being anism of the machinewhile at the same time permitting the undulating motion o! the basket.

Another object is to provide a basket ofV such shape and construction aswill best serve for holding the articles to be washed therein.

Another object is to provide means for subjecting the articles whilebeing washed to a mild tumbling and rubbing action not injurious to ydelicate fabrics.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic oi my inventionare set forth with par- Y-ticularity in the appended claims. Theinvention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with additional objectsjand n advantages thereof. will bebestunderstood from the following description of a specic embodimentthereof, when it is read in connection with the accompanying drawings inwhich,

Fig.' i is a top plan view oi the machine. Fig. 2 is a view in verticalsection on Z-Zof Fig. 1 showing the tub and basket portion of themachine.

Fig. 3-is a vertical section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 3-'3of Fig. 1 and showing operating mechanism for the machine.

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section on the line E-E of Fig. 3 andshowing a lug.

Fig. 5 is a top pian view on a reduced scale showing a gear and camcarried thereby and with these detached from the machine.

Fig. is a detail view for indicating that when desired the basket may bemade oi rust-proof woven wire.

Referring to the construction 'shown in thev accompanying drawings inorder to illustrate the principles involved in this invention, thenumeral nected with a plate 22 by three upwardly extendsecured totheuppcr side oi the gear 34! byscrew the une bolts 38, a roller 40being mounted in the periphery of the cam. The gear 34 carrying the cam36 is on account of the construction just describedA capable of rotatingfreely around the fixed post I0. lA cap member 42 is secured to theupper end ytwo sleeves 50 `and 86 permit easy undulating motion of thebasket when the cam 36 is in lifted of the shaft I2 by a nut 44, A tube46'is secured to the upper end of the post I and loosely surrounds theshaft I2. .A stumng box'48 is secured to the upper end of the tube 46and is inside of the cap member 42. A flexible sleeve 50 is secured atits upper end to the box 48 and at its lower end is secured to a flangedring 52 which in turn is secured to the upper end of a bell shapedmember 54. This latter member near its upper end is provided with an"annular flange 56. Between this flange and the ange of the ring 52 isheld a ring shaped water proof bearing 58 which may consist of laminatedsynthetic rubber. An annular basket attaching member 60 surrounds thebearing 58. Secured to the member 60 there is a flanged member 6|provided with internal gear teeth 62 with which external gear teeth 63on the depending flange of the cap 42 are adapted `to mesh when this capand the .shaft I2 are in' lowered position as shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Fig. 2, it willlbe seen that the i attaching member 60is provided with a peripheral flange to which the inner wall of aforaminous torus or anchor-ring shaped basket 64 is firmly secured.'Ihis basket may be constructed of any suitable sheet material providedwith perforations 665 In place of sheet material, I also contemplatemaking the basket of rust-proof wire mesh as indicated at 64 in Fig. 6.In such case the interstices inthe mesh serve as perforations forproducing a foraminous basket.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the post I0 near its upper end is provided withan annular groove 68 for receiving an annular downward projection of thebell member 54. It will now be understood that the member 54 constitutesa support for the basket and that the wall of the groove 68 serves as abearing. The groove 68 contains a recess 12 for y receiving a taperedlug 14 secured to the member 54 by screw bolts 16 passing throughopenings 187 in the upper portion of said lug. The purpose of this lugis to xedly gear the support 54 to said bearing and prevent rotation ofthe said support when the cam 38 is in raised position while at the sametime permitting undulating motion of the basket now to be referred to.The lower end y of the bell member 54 is provided with an internalannular flange 80 adapted to be engaged by the roller 40 of the cam 36when the plate I6 and the assembly carriedlthereby is lifted. Referringto Figs. 2 and 3, it will be understood that an annular tub 82 providedat its top with a bead 84 is xedly supported in such position that itwill contain the basket 64 without the latter striking the wall andbottom of the tub whenthe basket is given a progressive circularundulating motion continued around through 360 without rotation of thebasket, this undulating motion being based on a point C locatedcentrallywith relation to the inner annular wall of the basket. One ofthe tilted positions of the basket during its progressive motion isindicated by the dotted line 65 in Fig. 2. The position of the flange 80is indicated at 8| in Fig. 3. The dotted line 83 'in Fig. 3 indicatesthe position of the ange 80 at the time when the basket has beenundulated around to a diametrically opposite position from thatindicated in Fig.

2 by the dotted line 65. y

In Fig. 2, the numeral 85 indicates the bottom position and thesesleeves together with the stuiiing box 48 constitute means for excludingwashing liquid from the shaft I2 and mechanism associated therewith.

The basket as indicated in Fig. 1 ls provided with two diametricallyopposite posts 88 and 90 which are secured to the walls and bottomthereof and these posts have hinges 82 secured thereto. These hingesserve for attachment of two opposite leaves 94 of a closure adapted toclose the top of the basket so that the articles in the basket areentirely enclosed therein. The two leaves when lifted permit clothes,etc., to be placed all the way around in the annular basket. The leavesare provided with inverted downwardly open suction cups 96 whichconstitute a series thereof all the'way around the top of the basket. Aseries of perforations 91 are formed around the periphery of the cupring,

The intermediate concentric portion of the basket bottom has securedthereto as shown in Fig. 2, an upstanding ring like projection 98provided with openings I00, the top of this projection being rounded.This projection causes the articles to be subjected to a combined andmild tumbling and rubbing action which is not severe enough to injuredelicate fabrics during the undulating motion of the basket.Furthermore, during this motion, the suction cups cause the washingliquid to surge up and down through the articles.

Referring to Fig. 3, a gear |02 is rigidly secured to the'shaft I2 nearits lower end and this gear meshes with a gear |04 when a shiftingmechanism has caused the plate I6 and mechanism carried thereby to be inlower position as shown. The teeth of the gear |04 are chamfered ontheir upper edges in order to be more easily meshed with the teeth ofthe gear |02 which are chamfered on their lower edges. In this positionof the assembly carried by the plate I6, the gearing I04, |02 causes theshaft I2 to be rotated ata comparatively high speed for rotating thebasket through the cap 42 at this speed in order t0 dry the articles bycentrifugal action when the washing liquid has been drained from the.tub. The basket during the centrifugal action is given only horizontalrotary motion and not its undulating motion.

The gear |04 is secured tothe lower end of a shaft |06 which is freelyrotatable in bearings |08 on the upper and lower sides of the plate 8which has a bored opening I0 for passage of the shaft. This shaft isheld in position by collars I I2 secured thereto. Also firmly. securedto the shaft |06 is a belt pulley ||4 which may be driven from anysuitable motor or source of power not necessary to show. Secured to theupper end of the shaft I 06 is a gearI I6 with which the gear 34 isbrought into lrrlesh when the plate I6 and assembly carried therebyislifted by any suitable means the specific construction of which doesnot constitute a part of the present invention since the plate I6 mightbe lifted and lowered manually at the proper times. As one means formovingI the plate I6 up and down, I have shown a jack screw II8, itbeing noted that this plate is cut away as indicated at |20 in orderthat it may move past the gear I04Vboth upwardly and downwardly. Thejack screw may -be operated through the medium 'of thewellknown "torque"motor sodesigned as to make a predetermined number of revolutions in onedirection and subsequently when reversed will revolve the same number o!times in the opposite direction. The "torque 'motor may turn a gearwhich is free to rotate in both directions but is prevented from anyvertical movement. The

tion will be readily understood in` connectionwith the foregoingdescription and the accompanyingdrawings and toa largeV extent have-already been set forth. After the articles to be washed have beenplaced in the basket while the mechanism of the machine is in the posi-ltion shown in Fig. 3, the torque motor is started to lift the jack screwH8 in the manner previously described. This operation.` disengages thegear |02 from the gear |04, disengages the gear teeth S3 from-the gearteethv 62, engages the lroller Il! of the cam member 3E with the lowerdulating motion onsaid bearing based on a point located cena-any withinsani inner annular wan. l

and means positively gearing said support to said bearing for preventingany rotation of said sup- -portarounditsaxia end 80 Vof the bell shapedmember 54 and en- A gages the gear 34 with the gear Iliwhich is nowrotated by means of the belt pulley lil driven from any suitable sourceof power. On account of the gear H6 being smaller than the gear 3l,

` the basketsupported from the top of the bell member 54 will be given arelatively slow circular undulating motion of the character previouslydescribed in detail. After the material in the basket has been properlywashed and rinsed, the

torque motor will be started in reverse Adirec-4 the gear me, all asshown in Fig. 3. With the. pulley H operated from the source of power,the basket will new be rotated to dry the material therein bycentrifugal action. On account oi the gear lil? heling smaller than thegear, ills, the basket will be given a relatively high speed rotar?motion. Upon stopping this rotary motion, the machine will be incondition for removing the washed and dried articles from the basket andthen placing more articles therein to be crashed.

i. in a washing machine, the combination ci a tub, a bearing mountedwithin said tub, a ioraniinous anchor-ring shaped basket, a sup@ portfor said basket mounted on said bearing, means for giving y said supportand basket a progressive circular undulating motion on said hearing, andmeans positively gearing said support to said bearing for preventing anyrotation of said support around its axis.

2. in a washing machine, the combination oi a tub, a bearing mountedwithin said .tun a jiorazninous anchor-ring shaped basket, a support forsaid basket mounted on said bearing, means for giving said support andbasket a progressive circular undulating motion on said .bearing saidbearing containing a recess, and

a tapered lug secured to said support and extending into said recess forpositively gearingfsaid support to said bearing for preventing anyrotationl oi said support around its axis. v.

3. 1n a washing machine, the combination o 4. In a washing machine, thecombination o! a tub, a foraminous anchor-ring-shaped basket supportedin said tub, means for giving said basket a progressive circularundulating motion, a closure for the top of said basket whereby thearticles being washed are enclosedin said basket, and a.' plurality of'inverted downwardly open suction cups carried by said closure.

5. In a washing machine, the' combination of a tub, a post` secured toand extending up from the base of the machine into the interior of saidtub, a bearing on the upper end of said post, a foraminous anchor-ringshaped basket supported on said bearing, and means for giving saidbasket a progressive circular undulating motion upon said bearing.

' 6. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a post secured toand extending up irom 'the base of. the machine into the interior ofsaid tub and having an annular groove '1n-its upper.

end the wall of which provides a bearing, a foraminous anchor-ringshaped l basket, a support for said basket having ais/annular projectionmounted in said groove, xand means' for giving Vsaidbasket'a progressivecircular undulating motion upon said bearing. I x

7. In a washing' machine, the combination of a tub, a hollow postsecured to and extending up from the base of the machine into theinterior of l said tub, a shaft extending up through said nolcarried'sysaid gearmeans whereby sai-d gear and cam :member and shaft may besimultaneously raised and lowered, said cam member when raised beingbrought vinto engagement with the lower end of said support, means forrotating said gear when in its raised position to givelssid basket arelatively slow progressive circular un dula'ting motion for uvashingarticles in said basket, means for rotating said shaft when nl itslowered position, and means operated by said shaft in its loweredposition for giving said haake; a relatively high sed rotary motion fordrying the ,articles icy centrifugal action.

B. En a washing machine, the combination a tub, a post secured to andextending@ from the case oi' the machine into the interior ci said tub,a hearing on the upper lend oi said post, a ioramincus anchor-ringshaped basket, a, support ier said basket mounted on said ing, saidsupport seing hollow and extending helow said tub in spaced relationaround Vsaid post, e gear lmounted around said post, a cam niemher serricci by said gear and adapted to engage the lower end ci said support,and means for rotating said gear around said postte give sai-ii desk iav progressive circular unduiating motion' for washing articles in saidbasket,

9.`Ina washing machine, the combination ci a tub, a craminousanchor-"ing shaped haset 7 10.111 a washing machine, the combination ofa tub, a foraminous anchor-ring shaped Abasket supported in said tub,means forgiving said basket a progressive circular undulating motionbased on a point located centrally within said ring, and means forpreventing any rotation of .the basket support during the undulatingmotion.

11. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a foraminousanchor-ring shaped basket, a support for mounting the basket in saidtub, means for giving said support agyrating motion, and meansassociated with said support whereby said gyrating motion is translatedinto a progressive circular undulating motion of said basket lbiased ona point located centrally within said 12. In a washing machine, thecombination of a tub, a foraminous anchor-ring shaped basket supportedin said tub, means for giving said basket a progressive circularundulating motion based on a point located centrally within said ring,and means for causing the washing liquid to surge up and down throughthe articles being washed during said undulating motion.

13. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a foraminousanchor-ring shaped basket supported in said tub, means for giving saidbasket a progressive circular undulating motion based on a point locatedcentrally within said ring, and a plurality of inverted downwardly opensuction cups around the top of said basket for causing the washingliquid to surge through the articles being washed during said undulatingmotion.

14. In a washing machine. the combination of a tub, a foraminousanchor-ring shaped basket supported in said tub, operating means forsaid basket, and a shiftable device in said operating means which in oneof its positions causes said basket to have a progressive circularundulating motion based on a point located centrally within said ringfor washing the clothes and which in another of its positions causessaid basket to have a rotary motion for centrifugally drying theclothes.

15. In a washing machine, the combination oi a tub, a hollow postsecured to and extending up from the base of the machine into theinterior of said tub, a vertically slidable shaft extending up throughsaid hollow post, a bearing on the upper end of said post, a foraminousanchor-ring shaped basket, a support forsaid basket mounted on saidbearing, means for giving said basket a progressive circular undulatingmotion around said bearing for washing articles in the basket when saidshaft is in its raised position, a second bearing on the upper end ofsaid support, and interengaging means between said basket .and

-said shaft in its lowered position for giving the basket a rotarymotion only around said second bearing for drying the articles bycentrifugal action. v

16. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a hollow postsecured to and extending up from the base of the machine into theinterior of said tub, a vertically slidable shaft extending up throughsaid hollow post, a bearing on the upper end ofsaid post, a foraminousanchor-ring shaped basket, a support for said basket mounted on saidbearing, means for giving said basket a progressive circular undulatingmotion around said bearing for washing articles in the basket when saidshaft is in its raised position, a second bearing on the upper end ofsaid support, a cap secured to the upper end of said shaft, andinterengageable means carried by said cap and said basket in its loweredposition for giving the basket a rotary motion only around said secondbear-

